VW aims to become e-mobility leader, sets goal to sell 1 million EVs annually by 2025

Herbert Diess, Volkswagen brand chief, revealed the VW's future plan for the next decade at the press conference in Volkswagen's "Markenhochhaus", the totally rebuilt brick tower at the Wolfsburg factory. Hoping to put the "Dieselgate" scandal behind them, the German automaker is planning a new vision for the company. The plan? Plain and simple, VW will put their efforts into manufacturing more SUVs and EVs. Now that's what we call a solid plan.

The aftermath of the Dieselgate is somehow still felt and the German automaker is making an effort to make us forget the TDI ever happened. Around November of 2016, VW disclosed that they will make the largest change process in VW's history and is now announcing that they are seeking to become the world's leading automotive market when it comes to e-mobility.

This is a strong statement coming from the German company, and VW has a 20/20 vision on how they will execute their plan- by selling no less than 1 million electric cars every year by 2025. This plan will ensue in 2020, when the VW's first ever electric vehicle from the I.D. range will be released to the public. Three more vehicles will join the line-up in the next 5 years, following the Zwickau-produced unit.

Matter of fact, the German automaker's new plans are actually a reduction of its original idea. In November of last year, VW spoke that it is planning to have more than 30 full electric vehicles, aiming to have a yearly sale of around 2-3 million models. The first vehicle to be slated for release will be an electric one that is aimed to be as relevant to the trademark as the iconic Beetle or the Golf, VW reiterated at the unveiling of the ID concept in September of last year at Paris. The said EV will be largely influenced by the Modular Electric Drive Kit, and this kit will also be utilized by 3 other EVs.

But before producing their first ever EV, the German automaker will double its efforts to widen its SUV line-up, which has a significant part in the VW's product plan. The German automaker is eyeing to significantly solidify their presence in this segment and to be able to bolster their global unit range from their original 2 to 19 SUVs. Eight years from now, the British marque estimates to produce no less than 19 crossovers and SUVs on the global market.

In previous reports, the hard top-Beetle variant may be axed due to the poor sales. There are also rumours that the Scirocco will be removed from the brand's line-up. The Volkswagen Group is desperately trying to salvage their reputation and their business following the Dieselgate scandal. Some reports have circulated, hinting that the motorcycle builder Ducati will be put on the market to deal with their financial damage.

Press Release

Volkswagen makes rapid progress with realignment

The Volkswagen brand is making rapid progress with the implementation of its strategy "Transform 2025+" presented last November and with strengthening the profitability of its business operations. During the current year, the brand Board of Management not only expects further significant progress in all key strategic action areas but also substantial improvements in the key financial indicators following a strong first quarter. At the annual session of the Volkswagen brand held in Wolfsburg, Brand CEO Dr. Herbert Diess stated: "2016 was a pivotal year for the Volkswagen brand. It was a year of transformation. And a year that marked the start of a new phase for our company. We devoted immense energy to the diesel crisis. We initiated the transformation in business operations. And, we laid the groundwork for the strategic realignment of the brand. Our mission is clear: We want to make the Volkswagen brand competitive for the future. By 2025, we aim to play a leading role in the continuously changing automotive industry."

Volkswagen is planning a transformation in three phases on the basis of the strategy "Transform 2025+": by 2020, Volkswagen intends to realign its core business and to become the global market leader in e-mobility by 2025. From 2025, the focus is to be on new mobility solutions and business models in order to shape the major transformation in the industry from a leading position.

In the implementation of this strategy, evident success has already been achieved in all fields. For example, Volkswagen has agreed on demanding targets and measures under the pact for the future concluded last fall. These include more efficient ramp-ups, reduced working times through higher plant utilization and improved processes. Key decisions will safeguard the long-term future of the German plants. Starting from 2018, a new model for a sister brand will be produced in Wolfsburg. A fourth model for the Emden plant is in the development phase. The "Center of Excellence" at the Salzgitter components plant is responsible for the development, procurement and quality assurance of battery cells and modules. Pilot production is currently in the planning phase.

The SUV offensive, which is a key element in the product strategy, has been launched successfully. Volkswagen intends to significantly strengthen its presence in this segment and to expand the global model range from the initial two to 19 SUV‘s. With the Atlas, Teramont and Tiguan Allspace, we have introduced three new SUVs in recent months.

Realignment in the regions is also proceeding successfully.Our substantial restructuring programs are starting to bear fruit: in North and South America as well as Russia, we have grown at an above-average pace and have gained market share during the first quarter. It is especially gratifying to note that deliveries in the USA grew by 10 percent and have almost reached the pre-crisis level within only one and a half years. Following the product lines, the regions also assumed full responsibility for their business at the beginning of the year – this is a key element in the brand's endeavors to make the entire organization nimbler and faster and to improve its performance. The positive effects of autonomy are already becoming apparent. The regions can make faster decisions and are closer to the market and the customer.

Volkswagen's electric offensive is also proceeding at a rapid pace. The new e-Golf1, which has a range of 300 kilometers, already combines everyday practicality and customer benefit. In addition, Volkswagen has given some practical insights into the future of e-mobility with the I.D., the I.D. BUZZ, and the I.D. CROZZ. The I.D. family is based on a new electric vehicle architecture which will lay the technological and economic foundation for the majority of the Group's future electric vehicles.

A strong first quarter of 2017 in terms of sales revenue, sales and return on sales

The current financial indicators show that the Volkswagen brand is on the right track. Volkswagen applied a new reporting structure for the first time in the first quarter of 2017. Previously the figures also included sales revenues and sales of other Group brands as a result of the consolidation of multi-brand importers and retailers. In future, these sales revenues and sales will be reported at the Group level together with the sales revenues of certain service companies not performing services solely for the brand.

For 2016, this would have resulted in restated sales revenue of about €74 billion, instead of the figure of €106 billion previously reported. The operating result would have been €1.6 billion instead of €1.9 billion and return on sales would have been 2.1 percent instead of 1.8 percent. "Structural realignment makes the Volkswagen brand more transparent, allows better comparison of our financial indicators with those of our competitors and allows management to focus on the core activities of the brand," Dr. Arno Antlitz, member of the Volkswagen brand Board of Management for Finance, explained.

Volkswagen started 2017 significantly better than the two previous years. With deliveries of about 862,000 vehicles, sales revenue reached €19.0 billion and the operating result rose to almost €0.9 billion. The operating return on sales improved to 4.6 percent. Factors which had a positive impact were volume development, price and mix effects, the reduced use of sales aids, exchange rate effects and a significant reduction in product and fixed costs.

"By exercising strict cost discipline, we succeeded in keeping our fixed costs at or around the previous year's low level in the first quarter of 2017 despite the planned SUV offensive and despite the advance outlay required for our electric architecture and digital ecosystem," said Antlitz.

Outlook for 2017: higher profitability

For 2017 as a whole, Volkswagen predicts that the positive business developments recorded in the first quarter will continue. Sales revenue is to increase by up to 10 percent over the comparable figure for the previous year and the operating return on sales is to be at the upper end of the predicted forecast range of 2.5 to 3.5 percent. Antlitz: "This means that we are on course to achieve our mid-and long-term margin targets of at least 4 percent by 2020 and 6 percent by 2025. We will examine these results targets with a critical eye and raise them the moment we consider that what we have achieved is sustainable going forward. Until such time, we will concentrate on implementing the pact for the future and our strategy Transform 2025+."

Determined implementation of strategy

In the further implementation of its strategy, Volkswagen intends to continue the successes achieved to date over the course of the year. "The first good quarter gives us a tailwind for the coming months. However, it is also clear that this year cannot be taken for granted. It is now crucial that we resolutely stay the course and continue to carry out our tasks," said Brand CEO Diess.

The main focus in the current year will be on strengthening competitiveness. Volkswagen intends to increase productivity this and next year by 7.5 percent. Improved ramp-ups, cost discipline and the continuing product and profitability offensive in the regions will also contribute to competitive positioning. In North America, Volkswagen plans to launch two new models each year up to 2020. The losses in this region are to be significantly reduced this year and the brand plans to reach break-even point in North America in 2020. This target date also applies to all the other regions which are currently not recording a profit. In South America, Volkswagen will continue to implement the restructuring program. At the same time, the product portfolio will be rejuvenated and broadened. In China, it will be vital for Volkswagen to defend its market leadership, for example with nine further models by 2018. The main focus will be on locally produced new energy vehicles.

Across all regions, Volkswagen has started the biggest product offensive in its history with a view to stabilizing and gaining market shares. More than ten new models are being launched this year alone. Five of those are genuine new products without predecessors. By the end of 2018, seven new SUVs will be launched globally – two of them before the end of this year. Among these, the T-Roc will make a key contribution to the increase in volumes and earnings.

Volkswagen will also continue to forge ahead with its electric offensive. The long-term goal is clear: by 2025, the brand plans to be the world market leader in e-mobility and to sell 1 million electric cars per year. A key element in the strategy will be the I.D. family. This will initially consist of four models which are to be launched from 2020 onwards. As the first electric car, the I.D. will be produced at the Zwickau plant .

Volkswagen is also stepping up the pace in the key future area of digitalization. This year, Volkswagen is launching the new generation of Car-Net and will begin with the first mobility services. In addition, VW customers will soon be able to have their vehicles retrofitted with the system.

"Volkswagen is making progress with realigning the brand, as the first quarter shows. Despite significant risks, we are confident that we will be able to continue the positive development of the brand, meet our demanding schedule and also achieve our financial targets." said Brand CEO Diess.

Modification of diesel vehicles proceeding to schedule

Another key topic in the current year is the modification of the diesel vehicles. Volkswagen is making progress to schedule in this area. In Europe, more than half of the vehicles have already received the necessary software update. In Germany, this figure is nearly three-quarters. This means that over 2.6 million vehicles have been modified. By the end of the year, all Volkswagen brand vehicles are to be modified.